Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper

ABSTRACT

A vehicle suspension damper including: a cylinder; a piston assembly; and an adjuster, wherein the piston assembly compresses fluid as it moves within the cylinder and the adjuster obstructs fluid flow from a first side of a damping piston of the piston assembly to a second side of the damping piston.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and is a continuation of the patent application, Ser. No. 16/416,045, filed on May 17, 2019, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN ADJUSTABLE DAMPER” by Cox et al., assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

The Ser. No. 16/416,045 application claims priority to and is a continuation of the patent application, Ser. No. 13/891,469, filed on May 10, 2013, Now U.S. Pat. No. 10,330,171, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN ADJUSTABLE DAMPER” by Cox et al., assigned to the assignee of the present application, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

The Ser. No. 13/891,469 application claims the benefit of and claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/645,465, filed on May 10, 2012, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN ADJUSTABLE DAMPER” by Cox et al., assigned to the assignee of the present application, having, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

This patent application is related to, and contemplates integration with, the subject matter of: U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/361,127, filed on Jul. 2, 2010, by John Marking, which is incorporated herein by reference; U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/491,858, filed on May 31, 2011, by Everet Ericksen, which is incorporated herein by reference; U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/296,826, filed on Jan. 20, 2010, by John Marking, which is incorporated herein by reference; U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/143,152, filed Jan. 7, 2009, by John Marking, which is herein incorporated by reference; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/684,072 (the “‘072 Application”), filed on Jan. 7, 2010, by John Marking, which is herein incorporated by reference; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/485,401, filed on May 31, 2012, now abandoned, by Ericksen et al., which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

Embodiments generally relate to a damper assembly for a vehicle. More specifically, the invention relates to a “fluid bypass” for use with a vehicle suspension.

Description of the Related Art

Vehicle suspension systems typically include a spring component or components and a dampening component or components. Typically, mechanical springs, like helical springs are used with some type of viscous fluid-based dampening mechanism and the two are mounted functionally in parallel. In some instances, a spring may comprise pressurized gas and features of the damper or spring are user-adjustable, such as by adjusting the air pressure in a gas spring. A damper may be constructed by placing a damping piston in a fluid-filled cylinder (e.g., liquid such as oil). As the damping piston is moved in the cylinder, fluid is compressed and passes from one side of the piston to the other side. Often, the piston includes vents there-through which may be covered by shim stacks to provide for different operational characteristics in compression or extension.

Conventional damping components provide a constant damping rate during compression or extension through the entire length of the stroke. As the suspension component nears full compression or full extension, the damping piston can “bottom out” against the end of the damping cylinder. Allowing the damping components to “bottom out” may cause the components to deform or break inside the damping cylinder.

As the foregoing illustrates, what is needed in the art are improved techniques for varying the damping rate including to lessen the risk of the suspension “bottoming out”.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A depicts an asymmetric bicycle fork having a damping leg and a spring leg, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1B depicts a shock absorber assembly including an internal bypass damper, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional side elevation view of a shock absorber assembly, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of an eyelet assembly as attached at an end of a shaft, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional side elevation view of a shock absorber assembly, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of an eyelet assembly exposing a connection between a damping adjustment lever and a rod, as well as rotational travel limits for the damping adjustment lever that includes the walls of the lever slot, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of the eyelet assembly showing the damping adjustment lever within the lever slot, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the damping piston, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of the damping piston of FIG. 7 as related to the eyelet assembly of FIG. 3 , in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 9 depicts a cross-sectional top side elevation view of a shock absorber assembly, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a shock absorber assembly, with a portion of the shock absorber assembly shown in a cross-sectional side elevation view, illustrating the related mechanisms therein, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view of a lower eyelet assembly, with a portion of the lower eyelet assembly shown in a cross-sectional side elevation view, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 12 depicts the windows, such as windows 128 (of FIG. 4 ) and 300 (of FIGS. 13A-13K and FIGS. 17A-17E), being opened or closed by the respective excursion or incursion of a needle during rebound or compression of the shock absorber assembly, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 13A-13E depict a cross-sectional side elevation views of a needle type monotube damper in various stages of movement sequentially from an extended length to a compressed position, in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 13F depicts an enlarged cross-section side elevation view of a portion of the needle type monotube damper of FIG. 13D, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 13G-13I depict cross-sectional side elevation views of a needle type monotube damper in various stages of movement sequentially from an extended length to a compressed position, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIGS. 13J and 13K depict perspective views of the castellated (or slotted check valve), in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 14A depicts a perspective view of aspects of embodiments, in a compressed position, in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 14B depicts a cross-sectional side elevation view of FIG. 14A, aspects of embodiments having a “piggy back” reservoir (versus a monotube), in a compressed position, in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 15A depicts a perspective view of aspects of embodiments, in an extended position, in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 15B depicts a cross-sectional side elevation view of FIG. 15A, aspects of embodiments having a “piggy back” reservoir (versus a monotube), in an extended position, in accordance with embodiments.

FIG. 16A depicts an enlarged cross-sectional top elevation view of the top 1410 of the piston assembly depicted in FIG. 14B, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 16B depicts an enlarged cross-sectional top elevation view of the bottom 1415 of the piston assembly that is depicted in 14B, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 16C depicts an enlarged perspective side view of the piston assembly, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 16D depicts a cross-sectional side elevation view of FIG. 16A at the Section B-B, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 16E depicts a cross-sectional side elevation view of FIG. 16B at the Section C-C, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 16F depicts an enlarged side perspective* view of the detail 1605, showing the piston 310, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 17A depicts a perspective view of a shaft 205, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 17B depicts a cross-sectional view of the shaft 205 of FIG. 17A, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 17C depicts an enlarged view of the detail 1705 of FIG. 17B, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 17D depicts an enlarged view of the detail 1525 of FIG. 17A, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 17E depicts an enlarged view of the detail 1530 of FIG. 17A, in accordance with an embodiment.

The drawings referred to in this description should be understood as not being drawn to scale except if specifically noted.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of the present technology, a vehicle suspension damper, includes: a cylinder; a piston assembly; and an adjuster coupled with the piston assembly, wherein the piston assembly compresses fluid as it moves within the cylinder and the adjuster obstructs fluid flow from a first side of a damping piston of the piston assembly to a second side of the damping piston.

In one embodiment, the adjuster of the vehicle suspension damper includes: a rotatable valve configured for rotating from a first position to a second position. The rotatable valve includes: at least one passageway there through, wherein when the rotatable valve is in at least one of the first position and the second position, the fluid flow is obstructed in its flow through the at least one passageway and from the first side of the damping piston to the second side of the damping piston. In one embodiment, the adjuster of the vehicle suspension damper including the rotatable valve, further includes a damping adjustment lever coupled with the rotatable valve, the damping adjustment lever being movable and configured for, upon movement of the damping adjustment lever, rotating the rotatable valve from the first position to the second position. In one embodiment the adjuster of the vehicle suspension damper that includes the rotatable valve and the damping adjustment lever, further includes a control rod rotationally fixed to the damping adjustment lever and the rotatable valve, wherein the control rod rotationally responds to the movement of the damping adjustment lever by rotating the rotatable valve in proportion to the movement.

In one embodiment, the adjuster of the vehicle suspension damper that includes the rotatable valve further includes a motive source coupled with the rotatable valve, the motive source configured for providing input, wherein in response to the input, the rotatable valve rotates from the first position to the second position. In one embodiment, the motive source includes: an electric input. In another embodiment, the motive source includes: an hydraulic input.

In one embodiment the adjuster of the vehicle suspension damper that includes the rotatable valve and the motive source includes a control rod coupled with the motive source and the rotatable valve, wherein the control rod rotationally responds to the input of motive source by rotating the rotatable valve according to the input.

In one embodiment, the vehicle suspension damper that includes the cylinder, the piston assembly, and the adjuster, further includes at least one vented path there through, wherein the fluid flows through the at least one vented path when the fluid moves from the first side of the damping piston to the second side of the damping piston, and further includes at least one set of shims coupled to the at least one vented path, wherein the at least one set of shims obstructs the at least one vented path during at least one of compression and rebound of the vehicle suspension damper.

In one embodiment, the vehicle suspension damper that includes the cylinder, the piston assembly, and the adjuster, further includes a shaft positioned within the cylinder, the shaft including at least one window through which the fluid flows from the first side of the damping piston to the second side of the damping piston, and further includes a needle valve positioned with the cylinder, whereupon in response to an excursion out of a bore or incursion into the bore of the needle valve during a rebound or compression, respectively, of the vehicle suspension damper, the at least one window of the shaft opens or closes, respectively, thereby changing a flow of the fluid through the shaft from the first side of the damping piston to the second side of the damping piston.

One embodiment of the present technology includes a method for damping including: applying a compression to a damping fluid, forcing at least a first portion of the compressed damping fluid through an adjustable flow regulator, and delivering regulated damping fluid into pressure communication with a gas charge. In one embodiment, the method further includes, in response to positioning input, positioning the adjustable flow regulator into at least one of a first position and a second position such that the at least a first portion of the compressed damping fluid is enabled to flow through the adjustable flow regulator.

In one embodiment, the forcing of the at least a first portion of the compressed damping fluid through an adjustable flow regulator includes forcing the at least a first portion of compressed damping fluid through at least one passageway of a rotatable valve of the adjustable flow regulator, wherein the rotatable valve is in a fully open position. In one embodiment, the positioning includes, in response to the positioning input, rotating a rotatable valve to the at least one of the first position and the second position, wherein the rotatable valve comprises at least one passageway through which the at least a first portion of the compressed damping fluid is forced.

In another embodiment, the forcing of the at least a first portion of the compressed damping fluid through an adjustable flow regulator includes forcing at least a first portion of the compressed damping fluid through at least one passageway of a rotatable valve of the adjustable flow regulator, wherein the rotatable valve is configured for rotating from a first position to a second position and the rotatable valve is in a partially open position.

In one embodiment, the method further includes obstructing a flow of at least a second portion of the compressed damping fluid through the adjustable flow regulator, wherein the adjustable flow regulator comprises a rotatable valve configured for rotating from a first position to a second position, the rotatable valve including at least one passageway there through, wherein when the rotatable valve is in at least one of the first position and the second position, the flow of the at least the second portion of the compressed damping fluid is obstructed in its flow through the at least one passageway.

In one embodiment, the method further includes forcing the at least first portion of compressed damping fluid through at least one set of shim stacks configured for at least partially obstructing a flow of compressed damping fluid.

In one embodiment, the method further includes forcing the at least first portion of the compressed damping fluid through at least one window of a shaft, wherein the shaft encompasses at least a portion of the adjustable flow regulator.

One embodiment of the present technology includes an adjustment system for adjusting a flow of fluid through a vehicle suspension damper. The adjustment system includes: a rotatable valve; a damping adjustment lever; and a control rod. The rotatable valve is configured for rotating from a first position to a second position. The rotatable valve includes at least one passageway there through, wherein upon a movement of the rotatable valve effects a change in the flow of the fluid through the vehicle suspension damper. The damping adjustment lever is configured for, upon movement, rotating the rotatable valve from the first position to the second position. The control rod is rotationally fixed to the damping adjustment lever and the rotatable valve, wherein the control rod rotationally responds to the movement of the damping adjustment lever by rotating the rotatable valve in proportion to the movement.

In one embodiment of the adjustment system, the adjustment system is coupled to a piston assembly positioned within a cylinder of the vehicle suspension damper, wherein the piston assembly compresses the fluid as the piston assembly moves within the cylinder.

In one embodiment of the adjustment system, the change that is effected is an obstruction of the flow of the fluid from a first side of a damping piston of the piston assembly to a second side of the damping piston. Further, in one embodiment, the damping piston includes at least one vented path there through and at least one set of shims. The fluid flows through the at least one vented path when the fluid moves from the first side of the damping piston to the second side of the damping piston. The at least one set of shims is coupled to the at least one vented path, wherein the at least one set of shims obstructs the at least one vented path during at least one of compression and rebound of the vehicle suspension damper.

In one embodiment, the adjustment system further includes: a shaft and a needle valve positioned within the cylinder. The shaft includes at least one window through which the fluid flows from the first side of the damping piston to the second side of the damping piston. In response to an excursion out of a bore of the needle valve or incursion into the bore during a rebound or compression, respectively, of the vehicle suspension damper, the at least one window of the shaft opens or closes, respectively, thereby changing a flow of the fluid through the shaft from the first side of the damping piston to the second side of the damping piston.

In one embodiment, the adjustment system further includes: a motive source coupled with the control rod. The motive source is configured for providing input, wherein in response to the input, the control rod rotationally responds to the input from the motive source by rotating the rotatable valve according to the input. In various embodiments, the input is electric and/or hydraulic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present technology, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the technology will be described in conjunction with various embodiment(s), it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the present technology to these embodiments. On the contrary, the present technology is applicable to alternative embodiments, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Furthermore, in the following description of embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present technology. However, the present technology may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure.

Embodiments describe an adjustable vehicle suspension damper enabled to vary the damping rate. The adjustable vehicle suspension damper includes a piston of a piston assembly and an adjuster. The piston assembly compresses fluid moving through the vehicle suspension damper. The adjuster obstructs fluid flow moving from a first side of the piston to a second side of the piston.

The following discussion will first briefly describe various embodiments. The discussion then turns to a description of the FIGS. 1-17E and embodiments shown therein.

Integrated damper/spring vehicle shock absorbers often include a damper body surrounded by or used in conjunction with a mechanical spring or constructed in conjunction with an air spring or both. The damper often consists of a piston and shaft telescopically mounted in a fluid filled cylinder. The damping fluid (i.e., damping liquid) or damping liquid may be, for example, hydraulic oil. A mechanical spring may be a helically wound spring that surrounds or is mounted in parallel with the damper body. Vehicle suspension systems typically include one or more dampers as well as one or more springs mounted to one or more vehicle axles. As used herein, the terms “down”, “up”, “downward”, “upward”, “lower”, “upper”, and other directional references are relative and are used for reference only.

FIG. 1A shows an asymmetric bicycle fork 100 having a damping leg and a spring leg, according to one example embodiment. The damping leg includes an upper tube 103 mounted in telescopic engagement with a lower leg tube 110 and having fluid damping components therein. The spring leg includes an upper tube 106 mounted in telescopic engagement with a lower leg tube 111 and having spring components therein. The upper tubes 103, 106 may be held centralized within the lower legs tubes 110, 111 by an annular bushing 108. The fork 100 may be included as a component of a bicycle such as a mountain bicycle or an off-road vehicle such as an off-road motorcycle. In some embodiments, the fork 100 may be an “upside down” or Motocross-style motorcycle fork.

In one embodiment, the damping components inside the damping leg include an internal piston 166 disposed at an upper end of a damper shaft 136 and fixed relative thereto. The internal piston 166 is mounted in telescopic engagement with a cartridge tube 162 connected to a top cap 180 fixed at one end of the upper tube 103. The interior volume of the damping leg may be filled with a damping liquid such as hydraulic oil. The piston 166 may include shim stacks (i.e., valve members) that allow a damping liquid to flow through vented paths in the piston 166 when the upper tube 103 is moved relative to the lower leg tube 110. A compression chamber is formed on one side of the piston 166 and a rebound chamber is formed on the other side of the piston 166. The pressure built up in either the compression chamber or the rebound chamber during a compression stroke or a rebound stroke provides a damping force that opposes the motion of the fork 100.

The spring components inside the spring leg include a helically wound spring 115 contained within the upper tube 106 and axially restrained between top cap 181 and a flange 165. The flange 165 is disposed at an upper end of the riser tube 163 and fixed thereto. The lower end of the riser tube 163 is connected to the lower leg tube 111 in the spring leg and fixed relative thereto. A valve plate 155 is positioned within the upper leg tube 106 and axially fixed thereto such that the valve plate 155 moves with the upper tube 106. The valve plate 155 is annular in configuration, surrounds an exterior surface of the riser tube 163, and is axially moveable in relation thereto. The valve plate 155 is sealed against an interior surface of the upper tube 106 and an exterior surface of the riser tube 163. A substantially incompressible lubricant (e.g., oil) may be contained within a portion of the lower leg tube 111 filling a portion of the volume within the lower leg tube 111 below the valve plate 155. The remainder of the volume in the lower leg tube 111 may be filled with gas at atmospheric pressure.

During compression of fork 100, the gas in the interior volume of the lower leg tube 111 is compressed between the valve plate 155 and the upper surface of the lubricant as the upper tube 106 telescopically extends into the lower leg tube 111. The helically wound spring 115 is compressed between the top cap 181 and the flange 165, fixed relative to the lower leg tube 111. The volume of the gas in the lower leg tube 111 decreases in a nonlinear fashion as the valve plate 155, fixed relative to the upper tube 106, moves into the lower leg tube 111. As the volume of the gas gets small, a rapid build-up in pressure occurs that opposes further travel of the fork 100. The high pressure gas greatly augments the spring force of spring 115 proximate to the “bottom-out” position where the fork 100 is fully compressed. The level of the incompressible lubricant may be set to a point in the lower leg tube 111 such that the distance between the valve plate 155 and the level of the oil is substantially equal to a maximum desired travel of the fork 100.

Referring now to FIG. 1B, a sectional view of a shock absorber assembly 99 is depicted, in accordance with an embodiment. The shock absorber assembly 99 includes an internal bypass damper. The shock absorber assembly 99 includes a threaded body 120 (having an adjustable threaded spring 137 support thereon), a piston rod or shaft 104, a lower eyelet assembly including a lower spring support 140 and a damping adjustment lever 102. Another type of internal bypass damper is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,092 (‘092 Patent), which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 depict a cross-sectional view of a shock absorber assembly 99, in accordance with an embodiment. As shown, a damping piston 310 is connected to an end of the shaft 104. The interior of the shaft 104 includes a control rod 105 which, when rotated, correspondingly rotates valve 125 and its passageways 126. Note that in the view of FIG. 2 , the passageways 126 are aligned with an axis perpendicular to the page and in FIG. 4 , the passageways 126 are aligned with the plane of the page. Further, in FIG. 2 the passageways 126 (or apertures) are aligned with a solid portion of the wall of the valve recess 130, and as such the interior 131 of the shaft 104/valve recess 130 is closed from fluid communication with annular flow distributor 127. In FIG. 4 , the passageways 126 are aligned with the shaft windows 128 (note that the shaft 104/valve recess 130 is analogous to the shaft 205 of FIG. 13F having the windows or flow ports), thereby allowing fluid flow between the interior 131 of the shaft 104 and the annular flow distributor 127.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of an eyelet assembly 112 as attached at an end of the shaft 104 (opposite the damping piston 310), including a damping adjustment lever 102 rotationally fixed to an end of the control rod 105, in accordance with an embodiment. When the damping adjustment lever 102 is rotated about the long axis of the control rod 105, the control rod 105 is correspondingly rotated, which in turn rotates valve 125 and passageways 126. Note that in lieu of or in addition to the damping adjustment lever 102, a motor or other suitable motive device (labeled “motor 302”) may be attached to control rod 105 to provide rotation of the control rod 105 in response to input 302, such as electric, hydraulic (pneumatic) or other suitable input 304.

FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of the eyelet assembly 112 that exposes a connection between the damping adjustment lever 102 and the control rod 105, as well as rotational travel limits for the damping adjustment lever 102, that includes the walls 135A and 1356 (hereinafter, “walls 135”) of the damping adjustment lever slot 140, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of the eyelet assembly 112 showing the damping adjustment lever 102 within the damping adjustment lever slot 140, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7 depicts a cross-sectional view of the damping piston 310. As shown, the damping piston 310 is mounted to the valve recess 130 (the shaft 104 includes the valve recess 130; the valve recess 130 is at the upper portion of the shaft 104), having windows 128. Inside the valve recess 130 (and ultimately, inside the shaft 104) and coaxial therewith is shown valve 125 with passageways 126 (which serve as flow paths). The damping piston 310 includes typical compression and rebound ports (e.g., compression port 145 and rebound port 150) (shims not shown), and also bypass ports 320 in fluid communication with corresponding flow channels 305 and annular flow distributor 127.

FIG. 8 depicts the damping piston 310 of FIG. 7 as related to the eyelet assembly 112 of FIG. 3 (and FIG. 6 ), in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 9 depicts a cross-sectional view of a shock absorber assembly 99, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 9 is an additional view showing a configuration, as in FIG. 4 , where passageways 126 are aligned with windows 128, and thereby allowing fluid communication from the interior 131 of the shaft 104 to the annular flow distributor 127 and correspondingly to (referring to FIG. 7 ) flow channels 305 and bypass ports 320.

FIG. 10 depicts a partial cross-sectional view of the shock absorber assembly 99, illustrating the related mechanisms therein, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 11 depicts the a cross-sectional view of a lower portion of the eyelet assembly 112, in which the lower portion of the eyelet assembly 112 includes the damping adjustment lever 102 and its connection to the control rod 105.

FIG. 12 depicts the windows, such as windows 128 (see FIG. 4 ) and windows 128 (and flowports 305) (see FIG. 7 ), being opened or closed by the respective excursion or incursion of a needle during rebound or compression of the shock absorber assembly 99, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment. Note that in addition to the control feature described herein via control rod 105 and valve 125, a needle may also be employed to provide a position sensitive feature.

In one embodiment, and referring to FIG. 3 , the damping adjustment lever 102 includes a handle 107 and an indexing mechanism 139 that retains the handle 107 in intermediate positions between the walls 135 of the damping adjustment lever slot 140, thereby providing “modal” damping adjustment selection. For example, the damping adjustment lever 102 may have three “click in” positions corresponding to three desired damping stiffness's resulting from three rotational positions of valve 125 (via control rod 105 and damping adjustment lever 102). In one embodiment, the motor 302 is an encoder and is capable of rotating the valve 125 to an effectively infinite number of positions between valve 125 full open and valve 125 full closed. As such, the so equipped suspension (shock) may have a highly variable and selectable damping function that, for example, could be selected from based on terrain, or speed, or other relevant driving factors.

In one embodiment, the shock absorber assembly 99 hereof includes the adjustment feature provided by valve 125, as well as the position sensitive feature as provided by a needle valve. Such a shock absorber assembly would be stiffer with increased compression, but such stiffness would begin or baseline from a pre-selected base damping level. In one embodiment, a shock absorber 99 hereof further includes an adjustable rebound shim preload 160 or other suitable rebound damping adjuster.

In one embodiment, the shock absorber assembly 99 herein may be used on the front, rear, or both, of a four wheeled vehicle and the “motor” is connected to a circuit having sensors for any or all of the vehicle roll, pitch, and yaw. The circuit further includes a programmable processor for receiving sensor data and signaling the appropriate motor or motors (e.g., one each at each of the four vehicle “corners”) to either open or close the piston valve (e.g., valve 125) to correspondingly soften or stiffen the respective damping of the shock absorber assembly 99. One embodiment includes sensors for braking, accelerating, and/or turning. In one embodiment, the motors are controlled by a switch in the cockpit of the so equipped vehicle. In one embodiment, the switch or switches operate a circuit which supplies power to the motor or motors. In one embodiment, the switch is wireless and sends a signal to a circuit which supplies power to the “motor”. In one embodiment, the switch is a personal computing device such as one including a cell phone (e.g., Apple iPhone™ or Android™ device). Other suitable motor control mechanisms may be employed.

The discussion now turns to FIGS. 13A-13K, FIGS. 14A-14B, FIGS. 15A-15B, FIGS. 16A-16F, and FIGS. 17A-17E, which are excerpted from the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/491,858 (hereinafter, “'858”). Of note, any suitable combinations of features disclosed herein are contemplated, including combinations of the material from ‘858 and that disclosed herein.

Of additional note, U.S. Pat. No. 7,628,259, which Patent is entirely incorporated herein by reference, describes some forms of compression cavitations that may occur in a damper. Needle type variable dampers are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,810,128; and 6,446,771, each of which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. An internal bypass damper is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,296,092 (hereinafter, “'092 Patent”) which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. For enhanced illustration, parts as numbered herein may be (but not necessarily) analogous with numbered parts of the '092 Patent.

FIGS. 13A-13K depict a needle type monotube damper 1300 in various stages of movement sequentially from an extended length to a compressed position. Referring now to FIG. 13A, the needle type monotube damper 1300 includes an internal floating piston 1305 mounted substantially co-axially around the needle 200 and axial movable relative thereto. Also shown is a reference to the damping liquid 1310 and the gas charge 1315. FIG. 13A depicts the needle type monotube damper 1300 at its extended length. FIG. 13B depicts the needle type monotube damper 1300 in a more compressed state than that of the needle type monotube damper 1300 of FIG. 13A (also referred to as the curb height). FIG. 13C depicts the needle type monotube damper 1300 in a more compressed state than that of the needle type monotube damper 1300 of FIG. 13B (also referred to as the roll zone). FIG. 13D depicts the needle type monotube damper 1300 in a more compressed state than that of the needle type monotube damper 1300 of FIG. 13C. As shown, the needle 200 enters a bore of shaft 205 beginning just before the “bottom-out zone”. (“Bottom out” is a point of maximum practical leg compression.)

FIG. 13F depicts the detail 1320 of FIG. 13D, showing the needle 200 and the shaft 205 at approximately the bottom-out zone position, in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13F, the needle 200 is surrounded by the check valve 220 contained with the nut 210 fixed on the end of the shaft 205. During the compression movement within the “bottom out” zone, the check valve 220 is moved, by fluid pressure within the bore 235 and flow of fluid out of the bore 235, upward against the seat 225 of nut 210 and the bulk of escaping fluid must flow through the annular clearance 240 that dictates a rate at which the needle 200 may further progress into the bore 235, thereby substantially increasing the damping rate of the damping unit 201 proximate to the “bottom-out” zone. The amount of annular clearance 240 between the exterior surface of the needle 200 and the interior surface of the check valve 220 determines the additional damping rate within the “bottom-out” zone caused by the needle 200 entering the bore 235. In one embodiment, the needle 200 is tapered to allow easier entrance of the needle 200 into the bore 235 through the check valve 220 upon rapid compression.

FIG. 13E depicts the needle type monotube damper 1300 in a more compressed state than that of the needle type monotube damper 1300 of FIG. 13D, such that the needle type monotube damper 1300 is in a compressed state.

During rebound (and hence, extension) within the “bottom-out” zone, fluid pressure in the bore 235 drops as the needle 200 is retracted and fluid flows into the bore 235, causing the check valve 220 to move toward a valve retainer clip 215 that secures the check valve 220 within the nut 210. In one embodiment, the check valve 220 is castellated or slotted 230 on the face of the check valve 220 adjacent to the valve retainer clip 215 to prevent sealing the check valve 220 against the valve retainer clip 215, thereby forcing all fluid to flow back into the bore 235 via the annular clearance 240. Instead, the castellation or slot 230 allows ample fluid flow into the bore 235 during the rebound stroke to avoid increasing the damping rate during rebound within the “bottom out” zone. The movement during the extension causes the check valve 220 to separate from the seat 225, thereby allowing ample flow of fluid into the bore 235 during extension. The check valve 220 is radially retained with the nut 210 which has a valve recess having radial clearance between the interior surface of the valve recess and the exterior surface of the check valve 220, thereby allowing for eccentricity of the needle 200 relative to the shaft 205 without hampering relative functioning of the parts (without causing interference that could deform the components of the damping unit 201).

With reference now to FIG. 13G, FIG. 13H, and FIG. 13I, another example of a needle-type monotube damping unit in different states of compression is shown in cross-sectional side elevation views, in accordance with an embodiment.

In one embodiment, the components included in damping unit 201 may be implemented as one half of fork 100. In another embodiment, damping unit 201 may be implemented as a portion of a shock absorber that includes a helically-wound, mechanical spring mounted substantially coaxially with the damping unit 201. In yet other embodiments, damping unit 201 may be implemented as a component of a vehicle suspension system where a spring component is mounted substantially in parallel with the damping unit 201.

As shown in FIG. 13G, the damping unit 201 is positioned in a substantially fully extended position. The damping unit 201 includes a cylinder 202, a shaft 205, and a piston 266 fixed on one end of the shaft 205 and mounted telescopically within the cylinder 202. The outer diameter of piston 266 engages the inner diameter of cylinder 202. In one embodiment, the damping liquid (e.g., hydraulic oil or other viscous damping fluid) meters from one side to the other side of the piston 266 by passing through vented paths formed in the piston 266. Piston 266 may include shims (or shim stacks) to partially obstruct the vented paths in each direction (i.e., compression or rebound). By selecting shims having certain desired stiffness characteristics, the damping effects can be increased or decreased and damping rates can be different between the compression and rebound strokes of the piston 266. The damping unit 201 includes the internal floating piston 1305 (annular floating piston) mounted substantially co-axially around a needle 200 and axially movable relative thereto. The needle 200 is fixed on one end of the cylinder 202 opposite the shaft 205. A volume of gas is formed between the internal floating piston 1305 and the end of cylinder 202. The gas is compressed to compensate for motion of shaft 205 into the cylinder 202, which displaces a volume of damping liquid equal to the additional volume of the shaft 205 entering the cylinder 202.

During compression, the shaft 205 moves into the cylinder 202, causing the damping liquid to flow from one side of the piston 266 to the other side of the piston 266 within the cylinder 202. FIG. 13H shows the needle 200 and shaft 205 at an intermediate position as the damping unit 201 has just reached the “bottom-out” zone. In order to prevent the damping components from “bottoming out”, potentially damaging said components, the damping force resisting further compression of the damping unit 201 is substantially increased within the “bottom-out” zone. The needle 200 (i.e., a valve member) compresses fluid in a bore 235, described in more detail in conjunction with FIG. 13F, thereby drastically increasing the damping force opposing further compression of the damping unit 201. Fluid passes out of the bore around the needle through a valve that is restricted significantly more than the vented paths through piston 266. As shown in FIG. 13I, the damping rate is increased substantially within the “bottom-out” zone until the damping unit 201 reaches a position where the damping unit 201 is substantially fully compressed.

FIGS. 13J and 13K illustrate the castellated or slotted check valve 220, according to one example embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 13J and 13K, the check valve 220 is a washer or bushing having an interior diameter sized to have an annular clearance 240 between the interior surface of the check valve 220 and the exterior surface of the needle 200 when the needle 200 passes through the check valve 220. Different annular clearances 240 may be achieved by adjusting the interior diameter of the check valve 220 in comparison to the diameter of the needle 200, which causes a corresponding change in the damping rate proximate to the “bottom-out” zone. A spiral face groove is machined into one side of the check valve 220 to create the castellation or slot 230. It will be appreciated that the geometry of the slot 230 may be different in alternative embodiments and is not limited to the spiral design illustrated in FIGS. 13J and 13K. For example, the slot 230 may be straight (i.e., rectangular) instead of spiral, or the edges of the slot 230 may not be perpendicular to the face of the check valve 220. In other words, the geometry of the slot 230 creates empty space between the surface of the valve retainer clip 215 and the surface of the check valve 220 such that fluid may flow between the two surfaces.

When assembled, the check valve 220 is oriented such that the side with the slot 230 is proximate to the upper face of the valve retainer clip 215, thereby preventing the surface of the check valve 220 from creating a seal against the valve retainer clip 215. The slot 230 is configured to allow fluid to flow from the cylinder 202 to bore 235 around the exterior surface of the check valve 220, which has a larger clearance than the annular clearance 240 between the check valve 220 and the needle 200. In one embodiment, two or more slots 230 may be machined in the face of the check valve 220. In some embodiments, the check valve 220 is constructed from high-strength yellow brass (i.e., a manganese bronze alloy) that has good characteristics enabling low friction between the check valve 220 and the needle 200. In alternate embodiments, the check valve 220 may be constructed from other materials having suitable characteristics of strength or coefficients of friction.

FIGS. 14A-14B, FIGS. 15A-15B, FIGS. 16A-16F, and FIGS. 17A-17E show aspects of an embodiment having a “piggy back” reservoir (versus monotube). The damper of FIGS. 14A-17E includes a needle 200 and a shaft 205 having a bore 235 (the bore 235 being called out in FIG. 13F). During compression, the needle 200 enters the shaft 205 at some point (as previously described in reference to the monotube) and the compression damping rate correspondingly increases. In the embodiment of FIGS. 14A-17E, the mechanism is somewhat different from the previously described monotube, as will be discussed below.

FIG. 14A depicts a perspective view of the shock absorber assembly, in a compressing state, in accordance with embodiments. FIG. 14B depicts a cross-sectional side elevation view of the shock absorber assembly of FIG. 14A, in accordance with an embodiment, in which the damping unit 1400 is shown proximate to the “bottom out” zone where needle 200 has entered bore 235. Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14B, as well as FIGS. 15A-17E, the shaft 205 has a piston assembly 1405, including a damping piston 310, mounted thereon. The piston assembly 1405 has a top 1410 and a bottom 1415 as indicated, each having a corresponding damping valve “shim” stack for compression and rebound (extension) damping resistance, respectively (the compression damping valve shim stack 1425 and the rebound damping valve shim stack 1420). During a compression or rebound movement occurring when the needle 200 is not within the bore 235, damping fluid flow resistance is achieved via the appropriate shims and fluid also flows between the top 1410 and the bottom 1415 of the piston assembly 1405 through the bore 235 by way of shaft flow ports (including the compression port 145 and the rebound port 150 of FIG. 7 ) and piston flow channels 305. When the needle 200 just enters (or just leaves) the bore 235 (e.g., during compression or rebound, respectively), it impedes fluid flow through bore 235 (hence increasing the damping rate from freeflow) by virtue of its “plugging” effect. Fluid flow however may continue with the needle 200 in that position. When the full diameter of the needle 200 is adjacent the shaft flow ports, as shown in FIG. 14B, the needle 200 substantially blocks the shaft flow ports and hence substantially blocks flow through the flow channels 305 and bore 235. In one embodiment, such blockage effectively closes the bypass ports 320, thereby drastically reducing the available flow area through the damping piston 310.

FIG. 15A depicts a perspective view of aspects of embodiments, in an expanding state, in accordance with embodiments. FIG. 15A shows the reservoir flow adjuster valve 1505 for adjusting the flow of fluid into the reservoir 1510 of FIG. 15B. FIG. 15B depicts a cross-sectional view of FIG. 15A, aspects of embodiments having a “piggy back” reservoir (versus a monotube), in an expanding state, in accordance with embodiments. FIG. 15B shows an adjustable spring keeper 1515, a wound helical spring 1520, detail 1525 (an enlargement of detail 1525 is shown in FIG. 17D), detail 1530 (an enlargement of detail 1530 is shown in FIG. 17E), and bore 235.

As shown in FIG. 15B, damping unit 1400, shown fully extended, includes a cylinder 302 with a shaft 205 and a piston 310 fixed on one end of the shaft 205 and mounted telescopically within the cylinder 302. Damping unit 1400 also includes a needle 200 configured to enter a bore 235 in shaft 205. However, damping unit 1400 does not include an annular floating piston mounted substantially co-axially around the needle 200 and axially movable relative thereto. Instead, the piggy back reservoir 1510 includes a floating piston 1305 configured to perform the function described herein with regard to the internal floating piston. A volume of gas is formed between the internal floating piston 1305 and one end of the piggy back reservoir 1510. The gas is compressed to compensate for motion of shaft 205 into the cylinder 302. Excess damping liquid may enter or exit cylinder 302 from the piggy back reservoir 1510 as the volume of fluid changes due to ingress or egress of shaft 205 from the cylinder 302.

FIG. 16A depicts an enlarged cross-sectional top elevation view of the top 1410 of the piston assembly depicted in FIG. 14B, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 16C shows bypass ports 320.

FIG. 16B depicts an enlarged cross-sectional top elevation view of the bottom 1415 of the piston assembly that is depicted in FIG. 14B, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 16B shows the bypass ports 320 and the flow channels 305. Section C-C is also marked on FIG. 16A and shown in a cross-sectional view of the piston assembly in FIG. 16D. FIG. 16D shows the flow channels 305.

FIG. 16C depicts an enlarged cross-sectional side elevation view of the piston assembly, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 16C shows the piston 310 and detail 1605. FIG. 16F depicts an enlarged view of the detail 1605, showing the piston 310, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 16D depicts a cross-sectional side elevation view of FIG. 16A at the Section B-B, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 16D shows the piston 310.

FIG. 16E depicts a cross-sectional side elevation view of FIG. 16B at the Section C-C, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 16E shows the flow channels 305 and the piston 310.

FIG. 17A depicts a perspective view of a shaft 205, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 17A also shows detail 1525 (of FIG. 15B) and detail 1530 (of FIG. 15B).

FIG. 17B depicts a cross-sectional side elevation view of the shaft 205 of FIG. 17A, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 17C depicts an enlarged view of the detail 1705 of FIG. 17B, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 17C also shows passageway 126 (shaft ports).

FIG. 17D depicts an enlarged view of the detail 1525 of FIG. 15B and FIG. 17A, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 17E depicts an enlarged view of the detail 1530 of FIG. 15B and FIG. 17A, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 17E shows passageway 126.

It should be noted that any of the features disclosed herein may be useful alone or in any suitable combination. While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow. 

What we claim is:
 1. A vehicle suspension damper comprising: a cylinder coupled to an eyelet assembly; a piston assembly disposed within said cylinder; an adjuster coupled with said piston assembly, wherein said piston assembly compresses fluid as it moves within said cylinder and said adjuster obstructs a fluid flow from a first side of a piston of said piston assembly to a second side of said piston, wherein said adjuster comprises: a shaft having an opening formed therethrough; a flow distributor disposed within said piston; a rotatable valve disposed within said opening of said shaft, said rotatable valve comprising: a second cylinder, said second cylinder having an aperture formed through a surface of said second cylinder, said second cylinder defining a path for flow of said fluid therethrough; a control rod having a first end and a second end, said second end of said control rod coupled to said second cylinder; a motive source coupled with said rotatable valve, said motive source configured for providing input, wherein in response to said input, said rotatable valve rotates from said first position to said second position; and a damping adjustment lever coupled with said first end of said control rod, said damping adjustment lever configured to move said second cylinder from said first position to said second position, said first position orienting said aperture with said flow distributor such that a fluid flow path is created, said second position orienting said aperture with said flow distributor such that said fluid flow path is more restrictive when in said second position; a rebound port disposed within said piston assembly, said rebound port configured to allow fluid to bypass said rotatable valve during a rebound stroke of said piston assembly; a needle extending inwardly of said cylinder and having an end thereof positioned for receipt within a bore during at least a portion of movement of said piston during said compression stroke of said piston, said bore disposed within said shaft; a valve disposed at an opening of said bore, said valve comprising: a seat; a retainer clip; a check valve disposed between said seat and said retainer clip, said check valve having an inner diameter for receiving said needle therethrough, said inner diameter of said check valve having a size such that an annular clearance exists between said inner diameter of said check valve and an outer diameter of said needle, an amount of said annular clearance determining a damping rate of said valve; wherein the retainer clip is located between the check valve and the shaft; and a fluid reservoir fluidically coupled to said cylinder, said fluid reservoir enclosing: a fluid chamber configured to receive said fluid from said cylinder; a volume of compressible fluid; and a floating piston disposed between said fluid chamber and said volume of compressible fluid, said floating piston movably separating said fluid chamber and said volume of compressible fluid.
 2. The vehicle suspension damper of claim 1, wherein said control rod is rotationally fixed to said damping adjustment lever and said rotatable valve, wherein said control rod rotationally responds to said movement of said damping adjustment lever by rotating said rotatable valve in proportion to said movement.
 3. The vehicle suspension damper of claim 1, wherein said input comprises: an electric input.
 4. The vehicle suspension damper of claim 1, wherein said input comprises: a hydraulic input.
 5. The vehicle suspension damper of claim 1, wherein said control rod is coupled with said motive source and said rotatable valve, wherein said control rod rotationally responds to said input from said motive source by rotating said rotatable valve according to said input.
 6. An adjustment system for adjusting a flow of fluid through a vehicle suspension damper, said adjustment system comprising: a shaft having an opening formed therethrough; a flow distributor disposed within a piston; a rotatable valve disposed within said opening of said shaft, said rotatable valve comprising: a cylinder, said cylinder having an aperture formed through a surface of said cylinder, said cylinder defining a path for flow of said fluid therethrough; a control rod having a first end and a second end, said second end of said control rod coupled to said cylinder; a motive source coupled with said rotatable valve, said motive source configured for providing input, wherein in response to said input, said rotatable valve rotates from said first position to said second position; and a damping adjustment lever coupled with said first end of said control rod, said damping adjustment lever configured to move said cylinder from a first position to a second position, said first position orienting said aperture with said flow distributor such that a fluid flow path is created wherein said flow path, said second position orienting said aperture with said flow distributor such that said fluid flow path is more restrictive when in said second position; a rebound port disposed within said piston, said rebound port configured to allow fluid to bypass said rotatable valve during a rebound stroke of said piston; a needle extending inwardly of said vehicle suspension damper and having an end thereof positioned for receipt within a bore during at least a portion of movement of said piston during said compression stroke of said piston, said bore disposed within said shaft; and a valve disposed at an opening of said bore, said valve comprising: a seat; a retainer clip; and a check valve disposed between said seat and said retainer clip, said check valve having an inner diameter for receiving said needle therethrough, said inner diameter of said check valve having a size such that an annular clearance exists between said inner diameter of said check valve and an outer diameter of said needle, an amount of said annular clearance determining a damping rate of said valve; and a fluid reservoir fluidically coupled to said cylinder, said fluid reservoir enclosing: a fluid chamber configured to receive said fluid from said cylinder; a volume of compressible fluid; and a floating piston disposed between said fluid chamber and said volume of compressible fluid, said floating piston movably separating said fluid chamber and said volume of compressible fluid.
 7. The adjustment system of claim 6, wherein said adjustment system is coupled to said piston positioned within a vehicle suspension damper cylinder, wherein said piston compresses said fluid as said piston moves within said vehicle suspension damper cylinder.
 8. The adjustment system of claim 6, further comprising: said motive source configured for providing input, wherein in response to said input, said control rod rotationally responds to said input from said motive source by rotating said rotatable valve according to said input.
 9. The adjustment system of claim 6, wherein said input comprises: an electric input.
 10. The adjustment system of claim 6, wherein said input comprises: a hydraulic input.
 11. A vehicle suspension damper comprising: a cylinder coupled to an eyelet assembly; a piston assembly disposed within said cylinder; an adjuster coupled with said piston assembly, wherein said piston assembly compresses fluid as it moves within said cylinder and said adjuster obstructs a fluid flow from an opening on a first side of a piston of said piston assembly to an opposite opening on a second side of said piston, wherein said adjuster comprises: a shaft having an opening formed therethrough; a flow distributor disposed within said piston; a rotatable valve disposed within said opening of said shaft, said rotatable valve comprising: a second cylinder, said second cylinder having an aperture formed through a surface of said second cylinder, said second cylinder defining a path for flow of said fluid therethrough; a control rod having a first end and a second end, said second end of said control rod coupled to said second cylinder; and a damping adjustment lever coupled with said first end of said control rod, said damping adjustment lever configured to move said second cylinder from a first position to a second position, said first position orienting said aperture with said flow distributor such that a fluid flow path is created, said second position orienting said aperture with said flow distributor such that said fluid flow path is more restrictive when in said second position; a rebound port disposed within said piston assembly, said rebound port configured to allow fluid to bypass said rotatable valve during a rebound stroke of said piston assembly; a needle extending inwardly of said vehicle suspension damper and having an end thereof positioned for receipt within a bore during at least a portion of movement of said piston during said compression stroke of said piston, said bore disposed within said shaft; and a valve disposed at an opening of said bore, said valve comprising: a seat; a retainer clip; and a check valve disposed between said seat and said retainer clip, said check valve having an inner diameter for receiving said needle therethrough, said inner diameter of said check valve having a size such that an annular clearance exists between said inner diameter of said check valve and an outer diameter of said needle, an amount of said annular clearance determining a damping rate of said valve; and a fluid reservoir fluidically coupled to said cylinder, said fluid reservoir enclosing: a fluid chamber configured to receive said fluid from said cylinder; a volume of compressible fluid; and a floating piston disposed between said fluid chamber and said volume of compressible fluid, said floating piston movably separating said fluid chamber and said volume of compressible fluid.
 12. The vehicle suspension damper of claim 11 further comprising: an indexing mechanism coupled to said damping adjustment lever, said indexing mechanism configured for retaining said second cylinder within intermediate positions between said first position and said second position, thereby providing selectable modal damping adjustments. 